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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-1996-04-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. April 10, 1996 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (5) - Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Common Council Liaison - Mackesey EXCUSED: Commissioner Vargas Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. 2. MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the March 13, 1996 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner: Seconded by Commissioner RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the March 13, 1996 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Approval of the Minutes of the March 27, 1996 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the March 27, 1996 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Commissioner Reeves requested that Item 16A be removed from the agenda. No Board member objected. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: 5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Doria Higgins presented a letter regarding restitution of land from the Treman Marina to the City. Carol Usefara presented information regarding a meeting sponsored by Tompkins County EOC - Family Resource Coalition, "National Dialogue on Poverty" project 6. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC: 7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: 8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: 9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: 10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Mackesey reported on the following Common Council actions: Community Work Day to clean up Stewart Park West Buffalo St parking - CDBG funds sought (Cynthia Yahn to appear at 4/17 BPW-COW) 11. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: Tompkins County recycling contract; repairs to: Southside steam line, Police Bldg hot water heater, S&F heating system; Esty St new water & sewer lines; Esty St design review by residents; Spring cleanup; Ithaca Transit: backup bus is dead, buses on loan from Rochester, possible acquisition of buses from Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse; Youth Bureau project nearing the end; Engineering Technician position interviews; Giles St bridge work; City Forester: volunteer education, bare-root tree planting (110 trees), "Adopt-a-Planter" program Commissioner Ehrhardt asked about reprogramming the traffic lights at So Albany/So Titus and pointed out that it has been a year since he first asked (Supt Gray replied that it is a workload issue) Mayor Cohen asked about affirmative action candidates for the Engineering Technician position (3 April 10, 1996 Page 2 2 candidates - 2 women and 1 minority male) 12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: A. Property Question at 108 Elmwood Avenue. By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed a request from Jill Venuto, 108 Elmwood Avenue, concerning property adjacent to her house on the south and west boundaries of her property in which she requests that the City release or otherwise transfer a parcel of land approximately 20 feet by 119 feet on the southern boundary to the owners of 108 Elmwood Avenue, and WHEREAS, the board has reviewed a limited amount of background materials, including BPW minutes dated July 13, 1992, an 1899 Crandall map, a 1933 aerial photo, and a 1965 tax assessment map which indicate that a parcel of land once known as Campbell Park may have been leased to a number of adjacent property owners including 108 Elmwood, and WHEREAS, the Board does not perceive any general public purpose for the parcel which appears to have been in private hands as well as in private property tax assessments for as much as 60 years; now, therefore, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to forward all available information and request that the City Attorney determine the legal status of the parcel in question as well as the steps necessary to transfer or dispose of this land, and be it further RESOLVED, That should this parcel of land or portions of it exist as City-owned land, the Board determines that the land is surplus and requests that the City Attorney work with Common Council to make equitable and fair arrangements for its disposal which take in to consideration the interests of the adjacent property owners. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: 15. TRAFFIC ITEMS: 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: 17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: A. Approval of Ithaca Festival Agreement. By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Festival are desirous of entering into an agreement to outline expectations and responsibilities during the festival events of May 31 through June 2, 1996, and WHEREAS, the Festival Director has met with City staff, including the Police Department, Fire Department ad Department of Public Works, to review the details of the events, and WHEREAS, the director of the Ithaca Festival has met with the Board of Public Works to request the use of specific areas and services for the Ithaca Festival, including DeWitt and Stewart Parks; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the Agreement with the Ithaca Festival which includes the following: 1. The closing of the parade route (Washington Park to the Commons) on Friday, May 31, 1996. 2. The closing of the 100 blocks of South Cayuga Street, North Cayuga Street and West State Street all day on Saturday, June 1, 1996. 3. The use of DeWitt Park on Saturday, June 1, 1996 for a backyard circus tent and dance workshops. 4. Supplemental volunteer labor to be proved by the Ithaca Festival for trash collection during all phases of the Festival. April 10, 1996 Page 3 5. Additional items covered by the Agreement between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Festival for 1996, said Agreement outlines the details and expectations of both parties including finances, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Ithaca. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: 19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Commissioner Ehrhardt (Traffic Committee) reported on the following matters: • Traffic Engineer Cole working on a resolution, in response to an IPD request, to remove parking on the 600 block, south side, of West State St (discussion followed - further discussion with IPD needed) • Request for a "Children at Play" sign in the 800 block of Cliff St (discussion) • Stop sign request at Esty/Washington, Tioga/Tompkins signs, Cascadilla/Cayuga - remove first meter on SW corner, Cascadilla/Geneva stop signs Commissioner Reeves reported that the Cass Park Lights report may be presented on May 1st 20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Davidoff (Disability Advisory Council) reported on the following matters: • City Hall bathrooms accessibility • 4 to 5 new members added to DAC • City's obligation to provide Assisted Listening Devices for public meeting (general discussion of City accessibility obligations) Commissioner Reeves (Parks Commission) reported on the following matters: • City Forester - letter from Washington Park Assoc., West End Planter progress report (TCTC donation), CU's unauthorized use of Stewart Park for sailboat mooring and floating dock (CU to submit request to BPW) • Skateboard Park at Cass Park between tennis courts and pool • Ad-hoc committee forming for Cass Park master plan • ASCE students working on Willow Ave pedestrian bridge will meet with Sciencenter, Parks Comm, 4th and 5th Ward Alderpersons and neighborhood residents • Vendor presentation on playground eqpt • Babe Ruth field improvements proposal Commissioner Ehrhardt asked about Wood St Park handball court vs .basketball court lights (Parks Comm favors handball court) 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A. Department Notification Issues This item was postponed until the May 1, 1996 meeting so that relevant City staff could be present. B. Continued Discussion of 1996 Engineering Work Program After extensive discussion, the Board put the following Resolution on the floor. 1996 ENGINEERING WORK PROGRAM By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Board would like to be able to work toward the completion of all projects given to it as well as maintaining all its ongoing obligations outlined in Article V of the City Charter, and, WHEREAS, the Board, based on its review of available Engineering staff hours recognizes that not all projects can be completed in a given year, and, WHEREAS, the 1996 Engineering Work Program represents a reasonable allocation of resources to finish current projects, to meet requirements for public safety and public health, and to continue with the economical maintenance and operation of the existing municipal infrastructure, now, therefore, be it April 10, 1996 Page 4 RESOLVED, that the Board hereby approves the 1996 Engineering Work Program. 1996 ENGINEERING WORK PROGRAM Engineering Hours Available Superintendent (approx. 1/4 year) 451 Current Engineering (approx. 3 ½ positions) 6797 New Tech (approx. ½ year) 902 Summer and Part time Students 1504 Hours available 9654 Engineering - Projects Giles Street Bridge 240 Oak Avenue Parking Meters 144 Youth Bureau Acoustics 420 Mitchell Street Curve 60 Mitchell Street, Ithaca Road to Cornell Street 240 Traffic Counts 200 ADA Barriers 20 Computer Network 120 Parking Lot Equipment 320 1764 Engineering - General Support Special Project Route 96 Support 861 Government Support - BPW & CC, County, Towns 470 Engineering Internal 1387 DPW Support S&F 1376 DPW Support W&S 2575 City Departments, support 1230 7899 Hours allocated 9663 Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried 5-1 Ayes (5): Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Cohen Nays (1): Davidoff 22. NEW BUSINESS: 23. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. William Kaupe Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor